Rousing comeback hands Boks victory over Ireland

• South Africa rebound from first test defeat
• Springboks hit back after being 19-3 down at halftime
• Series level at 1-1, setting up third test decider

South Africa’s Elton Jantjies is tackled by Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong (R). REUTERS

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters):  South Africa produced a rousing second-half revival, coming from 16 points down to beat Ireland 32-26 in Saturday’s remarkable second test at Ellis Park and level the three-match series. The home side, jeered as they went into halftime 19-3 behind, ran in four tries in the second half in a furious onslaught to level the series 1-1 and set up a fascinating decider in Port Elizabeth next weekend.

Paddy Jackson had kicked Ireland, winners of the first test in Cape Town last Saturday, into an early lead and tries from Devin Toner and James Heaslip gave them a 26-10 lead with half an hour to go. Yet with Ireland in sight of a landmark first series win in the southern hemisphere since their visit to Australia in 1979, South Africa then put aside an error-riddled performance to clinch a narrow victory.

South Africa, playing only a second game under new coach Allister Coetzee, were first on the scoreboard with an early penalty which Jantjies put over from the halfway line.